Momentum’s Post

Last month marked my 5-year anniversary at Foolproof. Half a bloody decade. Now that I'm back from some annual leave and settling back into work, I was thinking of marking the occasion with 5 things I've learned over that time... 1) Nobody knows everything; you can openly admit this and still be good at your job. When I joined, I didn't know much about UX design beyond what I had read on blogs, and trying to decipher heat and click maps with the occasional glance at Google Analytics to guess what caused bounce rates. The people at Foolproof are some of the most supportive I've had the privilege to work with, and we hire really clever people. 2) Realising that I'm actually not bad at this job has been a revelation. Once UI design was taken out of the equation, I could focus on the parts that I am good at. I still have my wobbles and think how on earth have I blagged my way up from a mid-weight to a principal at times. Other times, I'm giving myself a pat on the back. 3) The importance of UX Copy. Before, I'd just been focusing on what things looked like, but one of my first projects at Foolproof, I had the pleasure of working with Jennifer Thompson, and she opened my eyes to all the nitty-gritty stuff that made a massive difference in testing. Ever since, I've been championing our growing copy team. 4) Learning how to facilitate user research. I knew at Foolproof we had dedicated consultants that usually do this, but given the opportunity to facilitate it yourself and put into practice everything I've learned from hours of observing has been a real nice touch. 5) Being a 9-5 designer is still okay. I was worried about the work-life balance working for a bigger agency with more well-known clients, but if anything, I've learned it's even more important to recharge outside of work so you're firing on all cylinders when you're there.

One of my professional achievement in my UI/UX design journey has been volunteering as a designer. It wasn’t just about creating interfaces . It was about solving real problems and working on something that could truly make a difference. I was really excited to work on real life project, a dream come true for me. Volunteering gave me the opportunity to step out of my comfort zone and collaborate with people from different backgrounds. It also taught me the importance of empathy and how design can go beyond aesthetics to impact lives. I saw the result whether it was making a process simpler or hearing positive feedback from our users . It reminded me why I fell in love with design in the first place. This experience shaped me in so many ways, and I am so grateful for the growth it brought, both personally and professionally. It’s a reminder that we all have something to offer, and when we give back, we grow too. Here’s to getting more opportunities in 2025!🎉 This is me officially saying “Happy New Year”🎉 What’s an achievement you’re most proud of? #UIUXDesign #Volunteering #PersonalGrowth #DesignForImpact

🚀 In every career, there's a journey—a path filled with learning, growth, challenges, and triumphs. These milestones shape us, teaching us resilience, adaptability, and the value of collaboration. Grateful for every moment, every challenge, and every opportunity this journey has brought my way. 🚀 #WorkAnniversary #Journey #PersonalGrowth

Day 59 of #100DaysUI!   Today, I created the "Open Positions" Card Component based on yesterday's career page wireframe. It's designed to highlight job openings in an organized and user-friendly way, making the job search seamless for users! I'm excited to hear your feedback! #DailyUI #UserExperience #CareerPage #OpenPositions #CardComponent #UXDesign #ProductDesign

Let’s face it: finding a job is hard, even with the tech skills you’ve learned. Whether it’s data analytics, UI/UX design, or frontend programming, the job search can be challenging. But you’re not alone. That’s why we’re bringing back Tech Career Day 2.0! With Olayinka A. Williams Join us to learn from recruiters and company executives what it takes to land your dream job. At this event, you’ll discover: • How to plan your career for short term and long-term success • The best job search strategies • The DOs and DON’Ts of a job interview This event is totally FREE, but registration is required. Reserve your spot here 👇🏾👇🏾 https://lnkd.in/dutJ_M7n Tag someone who needs this info and let’s get hired together! 💼 #TechCareerDay #JobSearch #CareerSuccess

This is the year recap I never thought I’d be writing. 2024 started on an exciting note and is ending just as exciting. In between, I was laid off. In January, I was working on a project to create a new intranet following a major merger. I loved the challenge of helping two companies find common ground and align their visions. Around the same time, I also contributed to a high-stakes pitch. I was thriving and deeply engaged. Then, towards the end of the year, redundancy hit. It was unexpected, especially after consistently receiving positive feedback. I felt lost and only recently realized how deeply it affected me. I wish I had been better prepared for this moment. Here’s what I would tell my younger self a year ago: 🟣 Be strategic about your career: Regularly assess whether your current role aligns with your growth goals or if it’s just a comfortable place to stay. 🟣 Don’t stay just for the people: Wonderful teammates are great, but they can’t save you when layoffs happen. 🟣 Don’t procrastinate on building a portfolio: Keep it up-to-date and ready for new opportunities. 🟣 Network, network, network: Attend conferences, meetups, and other networking events. 🟣 Keep a work journal: Document your achievements, learnings, and reflections regularly, this will turn out useful for updating your portfolio. 🟣 Continuously upskill: If you see the value in a certification, pursue it, even if your employer doesn’t cover the cost. Despite the challenges, this year wasn’t just about setbacks. I earned the CPUX-F certification from the UXQB – International Usability and User Experience Qualification Board e.V. at trainer level and I successfully completed the Object-Oriented UX Strategist Certification. I attended inspiring events like the Future of Industrial Usability Conference and World Usability Day, where I exchanged ideas with some very inspiring people. I learned more about the applications of AI for UX research and design. And now, 2025 starts with a new chapter: freelancing as a UX designer. I’m excited about the opportunities ahead and curious to see what my end of the year reflections in December 2025 will be. But for now, I’m enjoying some quiet days in my hometown with family and friends I haven’t seen in a long time.

Last week, I had a conversation with a recruiter who asked me about the differences between Product Design and UX Design roles. It made me realize that many people are still unclear about what sets these two disciplines apart. Because of this, I decided to create a video explaining the key differences between Product Designers and UX Designers. 🔗 https://lnkd.in/gg4a4HbC Interestingly, while UX Design is a more commonly recognized term, Product Designers often need to include UX Design in their LinkedIn profiles or resumes. If they don't, they might miss out on job opportunities, as some recruiters may not be entirely familiar with the differences between these roles Check out my latest video to learn more about these important distinctions and make sure you're positioning yourself effectively in the job market! 🔗 https://lnkd.in/gg4a4HbC

🚩 Lessons Learned From Job Scams After last week’s discussion on job scams, I wanted to share some key red flags to watch out for when applying for UI/UX design roles. Your time and talent are precious don’t let these scams take advantage of you! 👻 Ghosting After Submissions Companies disappearing after you submit work is a red flag. Always ask about feedback timelines. ✨ Unrealistic Design Tests Complex, unpaid tasks may be a tactic to get free work. Legitimate tests are small and skill-focused. ❓ No Clear Job Description Vague roles or unclear tasks often signal disorganization or foul play. 🎭 Speculative Work Requests Be cautious of assignments tied directly to their products or services without context. 🔍 Lack of Online Presence No website or reviews? Research the company thoroughly. 💡 Pro Tip: Trust your instincts, if it feels off, it probably is. Share your tips below to keep our community informed! 👇

Happy Monday everyone! ✨ One week in at Custom Neon® and I couldn’t be more excited to be part of this amazing company! ✨ From day one, the energy here has been incredible. The team—spanning the US, Australia 🇦🇺, and London 🇬🇧—has been so welcoming and supportive. While I haven’t had the chance to meet anyone from the London office just yet, the US and Australia teams have been absolutely wonderful. The positivity, teamwork, and willingness to help have blown me away—it’s clear I’m surrounded by people who love what they do. 💡 But let’s talk about growth. Because growth isn’t always easy—it’s a grind. 🚀 One thing I’m tackling right now is Adobe Illustrator. It’s been a challenge, and I’ll admit there are moments I wish I could master it faster. But I keep reminding myself: struggles are just the effect of learning something new. Every moment I push through, every frustration I overcome, is making me better and helping me grow. 💪 Growth isn’t comfortable, but it’s where the magic happens. 🌱 It’s where we stretch, improve, and prove to ourselves that we’re capable of so much more. I’m beyond grateful to work for a company like Custom Neon, where the culture, the people, and the opportunities inspire me every day. Whether it’s in the US, Australia, or London, this team truly shines. ✨ To anyone facing similar struggles: embrace them. The struggle is where you grow, and growth is what makes you shine. 🌟 Here’s to learning, growing, and glowing brighter every day! #CustomNeon #Grateful #GrowthMindset #ProfessionalDevelopment #TeamCulture #NewSkills #LearningAndGrowing

Today's challenge was designing a sleek, intuitive Job Board UI to help users land their next opportunity. I focused on creating a smooth experience for job seekers to find and apply with ease. Check out the designs below and let me know what you think! #70RAD #UXDesign #JobBoard #Day8 #DesignChallenge #GettingHired